Hebrews 10:23 Meaning of Let Us Hold Unswervingly to the Hope We Profess

Hebrews 10:23
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”

Explanation and Commentary of Hebrews 10:23

What is the “hope we profess?” It is Jesus Christ and him crucified for the forgiveness of sins who will save those who believe and repent, and who will return again in glory to judge the living and the dead. To profess this hope is to be saved. To “hold unswervingly” to this hope is to live according to it. True belief is shown by the way in which one lives. To swerve from this would be to wander off the path to the right or the left into some error or contradiction.

The doctrine of eternal security is that if one is truly saved, then salvation is guaranteed and cannot be lost. However, the Bible consistently acts as part of the means of that security by exhorting Christians to hold onto their faith and to keep going with Christ where he leads. We are warned against falling away like the Israelites, having been saved from slavery in Egypt by God’s mighty hand and outstretched arm, who then went and rebelled in unbelief in the wilderness, perishing. The reminder of this tragic falling away is meant to help Christians avoid the same fate.

The grounds for the plea to hold to the hope is the faithfulness of the God who has promised our salvation and the return of his Son, Jesus Christ. God will not fail to accomplish his purposes which include our eternal life in Christ.

Breaking Down the Key Parts of Hebrews 10:23

#1 “Let us…”
Christianity is a community, a family made up of individuals. None-the-less, corporate prayers and blessings are part of the experience of being God’s people. The Lord’s Prayer starts, “Our Father.” The basic unit of life is the individual, but individuals group together in a wise crowd to mutually edify one another, support one another, worship together, and engage together in the mission of Jesus Christ.

#2 “…hold unswervingly…”
The path to God is not only narrow (Mt 7:14), but it is also straight. As little time swerving off of the path as possible is advisable, as the days are evil and the time is short. A true believer will want to hold “unswervingly.” How much more could the Christian grow, and the Church accomplish if it eliminated swerving to the left or the right?

#3 “to the hope we profess,”
The hope we profess is Christ crucified and risen from the dead, to return at the proper time for the ushering in of the New Heavens and the New Earth (Rev 21:1) and recompense for his children (Rev 22:12). The hope is that any who believe in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life (Jn 3:16).

#4 “for he who promised is faithful.”
It is God’s promise that gives us our sure hope. He is faithful and true and always keeps his Word as a perfect Father. To hope in him is the most logical and advantageous action a man or woman can take.

Bible Study on Hebrews 10:23

Expert Overview of Hebrews

Biblical Translations of Hebrews 10:23

NIV
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

NLT
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

ESV
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

KJV
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

NKJV
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.